Donald Charles Buckley
March 22, 1924 - January 12, 2019
Irvine CA
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Donald Charles Buckley
March 22, 1924 - January 12, 2019
Irvine CA
Obituary
Donald Charles Buckley was born in Chicago in 1924, one of two brothers, to James and Claire Buckley. His father was a U.S. Congressman and his mother had French-Canadian roots, so he spent many of his childhood summers with his relatives in Berchier sur Mer (Quebec). While attending Loyola University in Chicago he met Regina Bukowiecki. They both graduated in 1946 with B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences and married that September. After graduating from Dental School in 1955, he served 2 years in the Air Force at Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, NY, where he developed innovative dental procedures, such as creating a device that allowed a cleft palate newborn to suck milk and thrive until undergoing surgery. After leaving the Air Force, he was one of three students admitted to the highly competitive graduate program in the newly emerging field of orthodontics at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he received an Ms.D. degree in 1959. He was offered a faculty position at the University based on his cleft palate research and publications (which garnered several government grants) but decided to return with his wife and young children to the South Suburbs of Chicago, where he established a private orthodontic practice in Evergreen Park. In the 1980s he began accepting “public aid” patients, believing that they deserved the same quality care as private patients. It was not unusual for him to have 3 generations of the same family receive treatment. He reluctantly left his beloved home in Flossmoor (Il.), which he designed and installed many of its custom features, and moved to Irvine in November 2010, hoping that his ailing wife would thrive there. Sadly, he lost her to heart disease and his son (Don) to cancer in the winter of 2010/2011. It took a few years to adjust, but he came to love his life in Irvine, taking advantage of his many and varied cultural interests: classical music, theatre, cinema, art, and science lectures. He leaves behind his children: Denise, Elise, and Michael; and grandchildren, Andrew, Ian and Emmi. He was loved and he will be missed by friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to KUSC Classical Radio” his constant home companion. https://www.kusc.org/
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: January 19, 2019 (12:00 PM)
- Venue: Ascension Cemetery
- Location: 24754 Trabuco Road Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 837-1331
7 responses to Donald Charles Buckley
Karen Buckley says:
January 15, 2019
So sorry to hear of Uncle Don’s passing. Sean and I remember our visit to see him and Aunt Reg in Chicago. They both were wonderful hosts and we had a great visit. Uncle Don was so proud of his home and it was so kind of him to share his home memories with me.
Cate Cranston says:
January 27, 2019
What a wonderful life he had. He was so very blessed. Thanks for sharing his many accomplishments and his caring heart. Sending you all love and peace.
Dale Wilson says:
January 28, 2019
Here is to a long, fruitful and enjoyed life. I have memories of his wonderful home in Flossmoor, not but a short walk from our own at one point, built by his hand to his desires, filled with items of beauty. My deepest condolences to his family.
Ellen says:
September 28, 2019
For some reason I thought to look up Dr Buckley name. Only to discover his passing. My deepest sympathy to his family. I had such fond memories of him as he was my orthodontist in 1974. He’s the person who encouraged me to take violin lessons.
Anthony Williams says:
December 29, 2020
Ditto to the last comment. It crossed my mind to look up Dr. Buckley just now and I too am learning of his passing. I remember many Saturday mornings of visiting his office to get my braces fixed after having ate the wrong thing and he fixed them each and everytime after lecturing me of how not to continue eating the wrong stuff (ha).
24 years ago (to this date) I was 12 years old. Today I am 36. Reading his bio I’m inspired after so many years to learn that serving public aid patients was his passion and desire. I was that patient. I was made to feel included. Despite how services was paid for, I felt as if (now understanding differences), that I was a PPO insurance holder. I enjoyyyed even at 12 years old as a young African American boy, the classical music of WNBI that I would hear when visiting. God bless her and his right hand at the time (Carl). Both stellar in their own sight.
God bless you all (his family) for sharing Donald with us all.